Homily at the Divine Liturgy
for the Faithful Departed
George T. SFEIR
10 AM Saint Louis Gonzaga Church
I begin by offering to Amelia and to the entire family of our beloved George the condolences of the entire parish family of Saint Louis Gonzaga, especially Father Aaron, Deacon Paul and Deacon Peter. Bishop Gregory Mansour called me yesterday and asked me to convey to you his sympathy and assurance of prayers. As an aside, Bishop Gregory was in the process of requesting the papal honor of the Knight of Saint Gregory for George, but unfortunately, the Vatican bureaucracy moves slowly. the last time that I saw Archbishop Zayek, God rest his soul, he asked me only about one person here in Utica, George Sfeir and his family who had been so good to him during his visits to the parish.
Thank you to Father Saba Shofany, the pastor of Saint Basil Melkite Greek Catholic Church for his presence among use. I also acknowledge the representation of the Holy Name Society and Saint Mary’s Guild—George was a member of both!
It is usually at this point of the homily that I say that I did not know the person very well, but this time, that is not the case. George was good friend whom I cherished and respected. He guided me as I assumed the responsibility of pastor in this community and helped me in uncounted ways.
Our education institutions loudly and frequently advertise that they train the leaders of tomorrow. There are countless seminars and workshops geared to teaching us how to be leaders. Leadership is a quality to be sought; a leadership role is a goal to be achieved. I am not sure if the education institutions are so very good at teaching our young people or any of us on where they need to lead people. The goal is to be out in front; that is all important.
Leadership also seemed to be an important issue for the disciples of Jesus. Jesus found them arguing among themselves about who was to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:46). The mother of James and John, two uneducated fisherman Galilee was so bold to approach Jesus (perhaps at the instigation of her sons) and ask, “Command these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21)
Jesus had a completely different concern. He did not teach his disciples how to be leaders—he wanted them to understand how to be servants. The servant is one who does not “call the shots,” but instead quietly serves the needs of others. He gave them the example of service at the Last Supper: “You must wash one another’s feet.”
George understood this call to service. His entire life was service to others in his family, in the parish and indeed in the Utica community. He was not the one to stand there and shout out orders, to work to attract attention, to seek the praise or recognition. He just wanted to help in his own quiet way. It could be a gift of cookies, cheese, or groceries, a ride somewhere, watering the flowers. He took care of all of us.
We shall all miss George’s quiet presence in a room. I knew that he had ideas born of years of experience, but I always had to drag his opinions out of him. Even though he knew what had to be done, he preferred to let others talk. (He would then probably do what he thought was right all along.)
This call to loving and generous service of others, especially those who are usually ignored by society is constantly on the lips of Pope Francis. The Pope, mindful of the example of Christ, does not want a Church filled with leaders. The Pope wants a Church of servants! Our parish Church—indeed the entire Church—has lost a man, who is an example of loving and generous service to the people of God.
After George’s decades of loving service to God, Church and family, I am quite confident that will greet him in the manner of the master in the parable of the talents, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21) May God give eternal joy to his devoted servant, George.
-Chorbishop John D. Faris
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